adult-onset allergies

Q&A: Why Do I Suddenly Have Allergies?

Welcome to the wonderful world of adult-onset sniffles.

Q&A: Why Do I Suddenly Have Allergies?Welcome to the wonderful world of adult-onset sniffles.

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The question: "I've never had allergies, but lately my eyes and nose have been going crazy! Could it be allergies?"

The expert:Neeta Ogden, M.D., a New Jersey allergist and spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

The answer: "Allergies are like any ailment, they can strike whenever," says Ogden. And it's not uncommon for allergies—be they seasonal or indoor—to sprout up for the first time in adulthood.

While we're born with a genetic predisposition to either have or not have certain allergies (thanks, mom and dad!), the less you’ve been exposed to allergens as a kid, the more likely you may be to develop allergies as an adult, she says.

Plus, many experts point to recent environmental changes like higher temps and increased CO2 levels as reasons that we may have greater amounts of pollen and other allergens in the air than ever before, says Ogden.

Not to mention this spring was dubbed the "Pollen Vortex," a made-up term used to describe the higher pollen counts following our longer-than-average winter. This caused some trees to release pollen later—at the same time other plants typically pollinate—leading to even more sneezing and sniffling than usual.

"These allergens are out there in such levels that even if you have always had allergies, you might only really be noticing them now," says Ogden.

Another reason you may get allergies later in life is if you move across state lines. In this case, you're bound to be exposed to a whole slew of potential allergens that your body hasn't encountered before and your immune system doesn't know what to do with.

The same goes for the great indoors. As an adult, you're increasingly likely to encounter indoor and pet allergens as you age. After all, you're more likely to be sweeping up allergen-filled dust bunnies, sleeping on older dust-mite-infested pillows, and scrubbing mold out from around an icky bathtub than your childhood selves, notes Ogden.

However, just because you think you might have an allergy, it's a good idea to see a doctor before popping some OTC allergy meds. It’s also possible that your sniffles are from nonallergic rhinitis, a coughing or sneezing that isn't attributed to allergies. As we age, our immune systems can weaken and our mucous membranes lose elasticity, making us more sensitive to irritants. Plus, unless your symptoms last more than two weeks, you could just have a cold. Like we said, ailments can strike whenever.

So if you can't stop sneezing and sniffling and you suspect allergies, Ogden suggests visiting a board certified allergist to pinpoint any possible allergies and triggers. After all, if you want to return to your allergy-free past, you’ve got to know what allergens to kick back out of your life.